Your guide to this weekend's Evesham CycleFest

HUNDREDS of cyclists are expected to descend on the Vale this weekend for the fourth annual Evesham CycleFest.

The popular two-day event kicks off today and will see everyone from cycling amateurs to professionals put their pedal power to the test on a number of courses throughout the scenic Vale.

Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Boardman will once again be the guest of honour and will be leading out the Sportive race. His firm, Boardman Bikes, who will be opening a performance centre at The Valley, are the headline sponsor of the festival.

A number of events will be taking place across the two-day festival. Today there will be a mountain bike race at The Valley, with a number of courses and race categories for under-eights, under 18’s, youth, adult novices and a Challenge Cup.

Then tomorrow there will be a 16 mile leisure ride through the scenic Evesham countryside and a two mile children’s ride.

And for cyclists looking for a challenge, there is also the Evesham Escapade Sportive. A number of routes include a 34 mile ‘frolic’, a 73 mile ‘romp’ or a 101 mile ‘challenge.’

Visitors to the Cyclefest Event Village on the Crown Meadow will be able to view Boardman Bikes’ new bike range. There will also be able to view plans for the cycling centre at The Valley which includes a cycling-specific wind tunnel and performance testing lab.

There will also be range of other activities including the Wychavon climbing wall, Kaos’ circus skills arena, and Bonkers Activities will be putting on a skate and scooter display.

Organisers have also announced this year’s event will raise money for Alzheimer’s Society and the Worcestershire Young Onset Dementia Service.

Sophie Wetherall, Chair of Cyclefest, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing people taking part in CycleFest this weekend.

“Some people might think that it’s all going to be about MAMILs, posh bikes and not for them – but I can guarantee that you’ll have fun, maybe be a little fitter, and show that cycling is important to the people of Evesham and the Vale for fun and transport as well as sport.

“We’re delighted to have local companies Boardman, Cycle Republic, Halfords, and G Tech coming along. And all our support is local too – Batham Bikes, County Medics and Barista Buggy – so we’re putting back into the local economy too.

“If you don’t want to cycle, come down to Crown Meadows as there’ll be lots for children to do – and maybe you can find out how you could get back on a bike or get started.”

“You can enter for any of the events on the day, and all of them have support on the routes to make it as enjoyable as possible.